Diamond Dust Injection: A Potential Solution to Global Warming

Research suggests that injecting five million tons of diamond dust annually into the stratosphere could lower global temperatures by 1.6 degrees Celsius, Anadolu Agency reported citing Science.org.

Inspired by volcanic eruptions that historically cooled the Earth, scientists are exploring this geoengineering method as a means to reflect sunlight and mitigate climate change.

Sandro Vattioni and his team from ETH Zurich investigated alternatives to sulfur dioxide, testing seven compounds, including diamond, calcite, and aluminum. Their 3D climate model demonstrated that diamond particles effectively reflect radiation and remain airborne longer without clumping, avoiding issues like acid rain.

However, the financial implications are significant; the estimated cost of spraying diamond dust by 2100 is around $200 trillion, making it 2,400 times more expensive than sulfur dioxide. While diamond dust presents a promising option, the high costs may lead researchers to consider more economical solutions. The findings were published in Geophysical Research Letters.